By MARK CASHMAN

I’m a bit of a devotee of Gain Line Analytics’ Ben Darwin’s theory that the teams that have a “history” together are the ones that win more often.

And Eastwood, as they prepare for their derby game against West Harbour on Saturday, it seems are very much in the “short on time together category”.

Most good judges thought that they would really hit the ground running but they have been clunky and searching for answers in their first two outings of 2020.

No lack of talent out there they just seem to need more time in the saddle together.

The loss to Southern Districts showed that it would take some time for them to come together after a reasonably high turnover of players in the off-season and the Covid-19 shutdown.

It then took until the final quarter of the game against the Wildfires to get any sort of ascendency.

Chris Bell has been working off the bench in the first fortnight and gets the chance to start this weekend.

Head coach Ben Batger has tweaked his outside backs with Tim Simona not starting this weekend and Bell getting a crack at the back.

“Belly has been exceptional when given his opportunities so he deserves his shot,” assistant coach Andrew Clyne said.

Charles Granger comes back into the second row and Latu Talakai will start at tight head with Rhys Sheriff dropping back to the bench.

Wests coach Mark Gudmunson said the Woods were a good match up for his side at this stage of the season which is yet to bring a victory.

“This week has all been about us and our game. We were really clunky against Eastern Suburbs, but still were in positions to really pressure them,” he said.

“This is an exciting week for us. We always love the Eastwood challenge. To add to it, we will have no supporters due to no tickets for West Harbour supporters with crowd restrictions, so we are going to have to get some energy from ourselves on Saturday.

“It is not ideal, but it is Eastwood’s home ground and I suppose they make the decisions.

“Our approach is to get our game right, we have learnt from our mistakes against Eastern Suburbs.

“Eastwood have lost a lot of fire power in their forward pack with Jed Gillespe having to take a big load on himself in that tight five and Pat Sio taking the majority of the carries around the field, so we need to really see how we can use that aspect.”

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Latu Talaki, Daniel Cosgrove, Charles Granger, Michael Icely, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Lachlan Shelley, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stolz, Fabian Goodall Chris Bell.

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau, Nigel Vaifele, Etienne Oosthuizen, Otto Wendt, Liam Moylan, Kaliova Nacina, Franchis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Josh Coward, James Turner, Justin Tavae, Connor Chittenden, Tavite Gadeisuva, Patrick Pellegrini.

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD